the trick to losing the holiday weight

Hang out with silly and adorable cousins!

My sweet little cousin Emma is just the funniest girl. She made me laugh so hard on Thanksgiving my abs actually hurt! She's 6 years old but has the spunk of a 12 year old! We colored, played house {and school}, took pictures of each others funny faces and sneaked M&Ms from "the grown ups." Thank goodness I'm not considered one yet..at least not by her!

 

It's so good to be back in LA although I do miss beautiful Northern California. We spent the weekend in San Francisco celebrating my Dad's birthday and I took so many pretty pictures on Matthew's camera {if I do say so myself!}. I'm sure I'll be sharing them with you all week! The ONLY thing I don't like being away for Thanksgiving at home is not having leftovers..sigh it's just not the same!

Also, good news: ordered my new camera on Friday so I should have it by tomorrow !! Happy happy Monday!

Giving Thanks

This year I am so thankful for my family's health...especially my Dad's. I didn't write about it but over the summer my Dad had aortic valve replacement {which is open heart surgery}. It was really scary because he had to be readmitted to the hospital 3 times! I'm so happy that he's home and finally doing better.

I am so thankful to have such an awesome brother. It's so great to see him and catch up. Last night he played Sally's Day Spa {an iPhone app} with me! He's the best! And today we went on a long walk and he taught me how to use Matthew's SLR. {so many great pics!}

I am so thankful to have the kindest and most understanding boyfriend. He deals with my post grad struggles on a daily basis and gives me so much love and encouragement. I missed him so much today!

 

I am so incredibly thankful for my kind and sweet followers. I can't believe there are more than 50 of you now (!!). You all mean so much to me and I appreciate your advice and comments more than you know. Seriously I could be in the worst mood and an email or comment from you can change it completely! Once I'm back on my computer I can't wait to see what you all have been up to over the holiday weekend! 

I am so stuffed from all the food today..I was about to fall asleep at 5! So now after THREE hours of watching footage from my aunt and uncle's Portugal and Spain trip I am off to bed!

I hope you all had a yummy day eating turkey or tofurkey {or non-Thanksgiving food if you're not in the U.S}. I hope it was wonderful!!

xox

and we're off to catch a turkey

Around this time of year I always miss my Grandma. I love this picture of me and Anthony with her on Thanksgiving in 1992. You can see the huuge table that she'd set up for our family. I loved her big holiday dinners. She always brought everyone together. Now that's she's gone we don't go up there too often.

Today my family and I are heading up to Walnut Grove, California {where she lived near Sacramento}. We are staying with my aunt and uncle and I.can't.wait! It's going to be a fun Thanksgiving running around the orchards in the backyard, eating yummy treats and playing with my cousins. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! To be spirited I'll do a little "thankful post" tomorrow!

xox

leather love

Back in March I got Matthew a Nikon D40 for our 1 year anniversary. Here we are the other week playing around with it. This boy makes me laugh.

I might need some camera lessons since I've never used one of these before. But I still think they're pretty cute. Also I love the leather skirt I'm wearing. I found it at the Goodwill for $10!! Unfortunately I didn't take any good outfit shots. I guess I'll have to wear it again soon!

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend! The Santa Barbara trip was fun but I didn't find my camera. Good thing Black Friday is coming up! I dragged Matthew to New Moon {twice in opening weekend..that's a first for sure!} Of course he liked the books way better..yes I made him read them! sigh what would he do without me!
xox

Friday on Fire

Despite being a tad tired from last night, seeing New Moon was totally worth it. 

The best part was that my friend Nikki had special tickets to a 9:30 showing so we didn't even have to wait in line!
I was in bed when the midnighters were still lining up!

The movie itself was a bit cheesy and the acting was..well.. what I expected. 

But let's face it..nothing can beat the books!

I just love Bella and Edward..sigh

I am SO ready for this weekend ! 

We're going out to dinner with Hanna and her bf Todd tonight.

Tomorrow I'm thinking about driving back to SB. 
I can try to get my camera back while making it a fun day trip!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

P.S. I love sparklers. Image via here

I'll tell you the truth...

Alright minor confession:

I might like Twilight a lot.

I might have gotten hooked on the books, after avoiding them like the plague.

I might have been captured by the love story between a mortal girl and a vampire boy.

I might be Team Edward although I do like Jacob a lot.

I might be going to see New Moon tonight {with tickets preordered}.

I might be a bit of a Twihard {screaming and fainting not included}.

Please remember that I was a Buffy fan so this kinda makes sense! 

Don't judge me.. because it might be true!

Ok it is..why am I so transparent?!

magical fruit

Last night Matthew and I went to Poquito Mas for some tasty Mexican food. I wasn't that hungry so I just got a side of rice and beans with chips. Matthew kept talking about me and the magical fruit." I didn't get it and then he started singing this little song:

beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot!

the more you toot, the better you feel, so eat some beans with every meal!

 

I couldn't stop laughing! I have never heard that song before but he swears every 10 year old does. Maybe just the boys? I looked it up online and apparently it was referenced in a couple Simpson's episodes.. that makes sense. Either way I love my silly {and oftentimes inappropriate} boyfriend! And I also love me some beans!!

In My Bag

I love big purses, because while they are super cute, they also hold some of the most random stuff. I've been meaning to do this post for awhile now and when Chloé did it the other week I knew I had to also! So, for all those other nosy people out there, take a look in my bag:

• Coach purse {from the outlets},
• my iPhone graduation gift, Michael Kors wallet {also from the outlets!}
• Organic Hojicha Green Tea for an extra boost at work
• mint/chocolate candy from a restaurant
• bandaids because I always get blisters 
• Southwest peanuts from one of my many trips to visit Matthew this summer
• silver bracelet 
• bobby pins for my unruly hair
• my yellow MJ keychain with a little tag Matthew made me when he gave me a set of keys to his apt. that says M+M= <3
• Nivea Cherry Tinted Lib Baum {it's the best because it makes your lips a pretty color while moisturizing them}

Again, sorry, until I replace my camera the iPhone pictures will have to do.

What's in your purse??

clearly SB is crazy

I mean I did lose my camera after all...But it was a lot of fun. My friend Mallory lives in Camarillo so Friday I drove to her place and then we both went to Santa Barbara to see her friend Airica {pronounced Erica}. Mal and I had an amazing dinner at Arigato Sushi after waiting 45 minutes outside in the cold. The fish was so fresh and the rolls were so interesting. For instance, we shared the Blue-Man Roll with tuna, crab, asparagus, mango, avocado, cilantro leaf, jalapeno masago and mango relish, and the Tiger Roll with tempura tiger shrimp, avocado, cucumber and daikon sprouts. So yummy. It was so worth the wait.

Saturday we slept in pretty late {shocking for me} and then we drove back. I went home, unpacked, cleaned, and enjoyed having the house to myself. My parents went up to Santa Cruz to see my brother Anthony. Matthew and I had a pretty lazy night. I wasn't in the best mood, as you can imagine after losing my digi elf. We went to Sompun Thai in Studio City and then I made popcorn and forced him to watch Sweet Home Alabama. I seriously LOVE that movie!

Sunday I made breakfast and we ran some errands. Matthew is finally getting his apartment together. Although he did have a major set back this weekend. He bought this beautiful brown leather couch, rented a UHAUL to pick it up, and after a lot of sweat and tears realized there was no way it would fit into the elevator, or up the flight of stairs. So now he has to resell it and figure something else out. So sad! I sold some clothes to Crossroads and while I am happy to make a little extra money it's so annoying how they hardly take anything and give you hardly anything for what they did take. I sold 2 purses, 2 jeans, 1 sweater, 2 pairs of shoes, 1 top and got $30..not that much when it cost me way more. Still $30 to go to my new camera will be nice.

Here are a couple pictures Mallory took on  Friday night.

Mal, Airica, me

I hope everyone had a great weekend and is having a fabulous Monday! Oh and any camera recommendations??

I'll miss you my little elf

My roommate from Berkeley, Mallory, and I went to Santa Barbara this weekend and while I had a lot of fun I lost my camera!! I am so upset about it because I loved my little camera and I had so many pictures on there that I wanted to upload today. I'm hoping I'll get it back but I'm not keeping my hopes up. I haven't heard back from the restaurant we were at and it's hard because I can't go stop by since I don't live there. So I need to figure out what I'm going to do until I get a new one. Maybe I'll post some old pictures or scan some in. We'll see. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and no one lost anything!

hunting for favorites

 

Matthew and I are in the process of developing all new Los Angeles favorites. We developed a lot in the Bay Area but are slowly finding new ones together here in my hometown. We both absolutely love Pizzeria Mozza. It's probably the best pizza I've ever had. {Although I do love Cheeseboard in Berkeley} But, because the wait at Mozza is ridiculous we needed an easy, neighborhood spot. In comes Pitfire Pizza. SO good! We had a little night out and shared a basic margarita pizza, burrata and beet salad, and some Blue Moons. I've also had the Burrata Pie with carmelized onions, wild arugala, hazelnuts, and pesto. Yep..I'm drooling right now.

Sigh I am SO ready for this week to be over. I was at the magazine until 7 p.m. tonight! {And I'm not even getting paid!!} Need to relax pronto!

life of an intern

Check out this desk:

This is where I am going to be spending countless hours this week, as the magazine I work for is about to go to print. woo hoo!

Note the coffee mug.. it will be refilled on the regular.

And the snacks.. they are unfortunately diminishing at a fast rate.

This is going to be a long night but the good thing is that I enjoy it. I would much rather be here, writing and editing articles, than at the law firm doing boring deposition summaries.

Sigh I am one step closer to figuring out my life.

Why does the magazine industry have be in such shambles though?

What do you do/want to do? And do you like it?

I need some inspiration!

xox

mundane monday

Going to San Diego this weekend was a lot of fun! Matthew and I left bright and early on Saturday morning. While he took the family pictures I met up with Lizzie, my best friend since we were SIX years old! We went to brunch and then got our nails done.  I am a little annoyed though because I spent the most I've ever spent on a manicure before ($21) and even though I sat still for a full hour, two hairs later four fingers were smudged! How does that happened?! And it was a really pretty color too (OPI Season's Screenings). Sigh oh well.

The 80th birthday party was a lot of fun but I'm sad to say I didn't take any pictures. I unfortunately forgot my camera in my other purse. You'll just have to take my word for it that it was a fabulous affair! It was at Cozymel's in San Diego and Matthew and I gorged ourselves on lots of Mexican food! I'm still kind of full from it!

Sunday there was a big lunch + football party at his sister's house. They all watched the Chargers game while I played with Matthew's nieces outside. I don't even know who the Chargers were playing against!

Some exciting news: I am SO close to convincing my parents to get a puppy! I am such a dog person {if you didn't already know} and I love Labradors. I've always had one {or two} since growing up. And my puppy eyes are really working...at least I hope so!

xox

recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon Sour Cream Topping

And without further ado, the perfect fall dessert...

 

{pecan, graham cracker crust}

{bourbon sour cream topping}

{tada!}

This dessert was absolutely amazing and I have a feeling it's going to become a fall tradition! Everyone loved and raved about it! It was just that good! Here's the recipe:

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon Sour Cream Topping

For the Crust:

• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

For the Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups solid pack pumpkin
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• three 8-ounce packages cream cheese,  softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon bourbon liqueur or bourbon if desired

For the Topping:

• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon bourbon liqueur or bourbon, or to taste
  

• 16 pecan halves for garnish

Preparation

Make the crust:

In a bowl combine the cracker crumbs, the pecans, and the sugars, stir in the butter, and press the mixture into the bottom and 1/2 inch up the side of a buttered 9-inch springform pan. Chill the crust for 1 hour.

Make the filling:

In a bowl whisk together the pumpkin, the egg, the cinnamon, the nutmeg, the ginger, the salt, and the brown sugar. In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream together the cream cheese and the granulated sugar, beat in the cream, the cornstarch, the vanilla, the bourbon liqueur, and the pumpkin mixture, and beat the filling until it is smooth.

Pour the filling into the crust, bake the cheesecake in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the center is just set, and let it cool in the pan on a rack for 5 minutes.

Make the topping:

In a bowl whisk together the sour cream, the sugar, and the bourbon liqueur.

Spread the sour cream mixture over the top of the cheesecake and bake the cheesecake for 5 minutes more. Let the cheesecake cool in the pan on a rack for three hours and then chill it, covered, for four hours. Remove the side of the pan and garnish the top of the cheesecake with the pecans. Serve close to room temperature

 

Seriously if you guys want to make an amazing dessert, that isn't that difficult, make this one! It's perfect. The only thing that was annoying is that it needs to sit out for 3 hours and then be refrigerated for 4..so plan accordingly! 

Last picture by Beatriz da Costa {for Gourmet} since mine didn't do it enough justice.

where is the love

Hearing about yesterday's tragedy made me realize how lucky I am to have my family together and safe.

I am so grateful for their lives and love.

While I am a little confused with where my life is going, living at home has been such a blessing.

{And it's not just because I don't have to pay rent}

I'm able to eat dinner with my mom and dad most nights, watch our favorite shows together, and spend time together that I missed while I was away in college.

They have been so supportive through all my rantings and given me such kind advice.

I hope they know how much I love them.

Tonight we're going to have that special dessert I made {total time to make (including chill time)=10 hours!} I have a feeling it's going to be amazing and I'll post recipe and pics sometime soon.. I promise!

Happy Friday everyone! I'm going to San Diego this weekend to celebrate Matthew's Grandpa's big 8-0! What are your plans?

picture of my favorite red cowboy boots. I had an almost identical pair when I was little!

fire it up

Pictures from Tuesday night's show.

I had the day off today because my boss left to go out of town. Lucky girl has an all expenses paid trip to Cabo.

And of course I had a ton of stuff to do but I haven't really gotten anything done.

I did go to lunch with my Dad though. We went to Firenze, a new restaurant by Fabio {Top Chef season 5}. It was pretty good food, very basic Italian. My dad thought they were playing it a little too safe but that might be smart since so many restaurants are closing. We split the Insalata di Pere with baby lettuces, crumbled blue cheese, caramelized walnuts, pecorino cheese and poached pears in a wine and balsamic dressing. And we also got Ravioli d'Aragosta, ravioli filled with lobster and braised vegetables in a white wine lobster sauce with cherry tomato and shrimp. Pretty tasty! Oh and we got a cannoli which was super traditional but very good! Now I am in the mood to make a special fall dessert for tonight! Stay tuned for pictures..I have a feeling it's going to be pretty!

sit back and wave through the daylight

Matthew and I saw this amazing band last night and they were AWESOME! It was so great to finally see them live. Oh and Silversun Pickups were incredible. I didn't know much about them before "Panic Switch" but I really like their other stuff a lot! I'll have pictures to post tomorrow, although I didn't get any really good ones of the band. So today I thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures that I just can't stop starting at:

Images from  The Sartorialist, VMag, &  Stockholm Street Style

Clearly I'm loving the dark hair, red lips and jean shorts. Simple yet beautiful. I'd definitely say "my style" is more classic and girly. I like clean and classic silhouettes, with subtle yet gorgeous details {see entire J. Crew & Anthropologie collection}. How would you define your style?

  BTW: Does anyone know how to make pictures bigger on Blogger and not click to enlarge?

spooky scary..part two

So without further ado, the Halloween pictures are here {pumpkins included}. I went as Fran Fine aka The Nanny and Matthew went as my Mr. Sheffield. It was a pretty easy {and fun} costume: I wore bright tights, sequin dress, fur jacket, big hair, and I even drew on the widow's peak. Oh and who could forget the laugh! I loved Matthew's white streak in his hair... I think he liked it too! We found a legitimate photobooth in Echo Park, no counter just blinking lights and flashes--sulfur smell included. It was so exciting because we found it randomly and it's the first we've taken in LA together! Loved hanging out with this boy on Halloween. No matter what we do we always have so much fun. I love him a lot!

 

{I drew both but carved the one on the left..I think I won!}

Hope everyone's week is going great! Isn't everyone loving the extra hour of sleep?! Matthew and I are going to see Matt & Kim, The Dandy Warhols and Silversun Pickups tonight. I'm pretty excited!

xox

spooky scary.. part one

 

{fashion risk: socks with heels}

 These are some pictures from Halloween Eve. We were totally cutting it down to the wire and, in retrospect, being a little too picky about our pumpkins. We found this pumpkin patch but they were a little/a lot pricey and most of them weren't the best for carving {spotted some rotting ones!}. So Halloween was a busy day, consisting of a mad hunt for pumpkins and last minute costume pieces. But we did see Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard so apparently other rockstar couples are procrastinators too! After going to every grocery store in a 10 mile radius we finally found one gem, and convinced my Mom to let me carve pumpkin! They ended up looking so unbelievably good {professional, if I do say so myself!}. I'll post them tomorrow along with our costumes!! Hope everyone had a happy Halloween weekend! Woo hoo for the extra hour of sleep!